Biological sciences

Doing the MATH: Is the mouse a good model for fly development?

Article Abstract:

Whether or not the mouse is a good model for fly development is discussed in this review article. The Atonal-related proteins (ARPs) are considered with focus on their functional diversity in each organism. It is contrasted to the surprising conservation of some of the functions from species to species. The sequence of the basic domain is adequate to determined the different groups of ARPs. The structural similarities among the three groups of ARPs, the Neurogenin, the ATO, and the NeuroD groups, seem to show functional similarities. The two functions of Drosophila proneural ARPs lineage identity specification and precursor selection may be disconnected from each other in vertebrates.

Requirement for math5 in the development of retinal ganglion cells

Article Abstract:

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the developmental requirement for math5, a mouse orthologue of atonal, a bHLH proneural gene required for the formation of photoreceptors and chordotonal organs in Drosophila are discussed in this research communication. Likely math5 is a proneural gene required for RGC differentiation. It appears that math5 activates brn-3b-dependent differentiation processes in RGCs upstream.

A putative exchange factor for Rho1 GTPase is required for initiation of cytokinesis in Drosophila

Article Abstract:

A putative exchange factor for Rho1 GTPase is discussed. The factor is necessary for Drosophila cytokinesis initiation. Cytokinesis ensures success of the cell cycle and distribution of chromosomes, organelles and cytoplasm in daughter cells. Formation and constriction of an actomyosin contractile ring drives progression of a cleavage furrow to bring about cytokinesis. Results of a recent study show Drosophila Pebble (Pbl), the putative exchange factor, to be a RhoGEF specifically needed for cytokinesis and linked through Rho1 activity to reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton at the cleavage furrow.